Radio tower near proposed track site gets green light

Thursday

Oct 3, 2013 at 11:41 PM

Marzella has said the request was to erect a 110-foot tower that would provide Broadband wireless Internet. He said the tower would not be highly visible to those who were close due to its elevation, and would appear small to the human eye at a distance. He said the applicant has a pending contract with a reputable wireless Internet provider who will be able to provide service and coverage to customers around Burt and Mullett lakes.

Shawna Jankoviak Staff Writer, @sjankoviakCDT @sjankoviak

By SHAWNA JANKOVIAKshawna@cheboygantribune.comCHEBOYGAN — A radio/wireless communication tower proposed near what could be the site of a future motorsports track received approval from the Cheboygan County Planning Commission on Wednesday, despite a large number of concerns voiced by the public.The panel approved the special use permit request for a radio tower/wireless communication facility on property located at 6444 Griswold Mountain Drive in Tuscarora Township, but stipulated that a 6-foot fence and locked gate were required, and that it only be used for radio transmissions/communications. The panel also said Federal Aviation Administration and Federal Communications Commission approval was required.The issue had been tabled from a Sept. 18 Planning Commission meeting, during which public comment had been taken. However, at that meeting, the panel decided it wanted more information to be gathered, especially in regard to other towers in the area, so a decision was not made. Since public comment had already been allowed, it was not part of Wednesday's proceedings on the issue.Public comments were both against and in favor of the request, citing concerns about the true intent and purpose of the tower, aesthetics and potential sites for co-location and also arguing that the applicant was being discriminated against because of other possible plans for the property.Neil Marzella again represented the applicant, Griswold Mountain Properties, LLC. Mark Hall, the president of Monster Energy's Beverage Division, owns the property between S. Straits Highway and Chippewa Beach Road known by some as Griswold Mountain. Hall has said he would like to develop a motorsports park on the property, but has only presented preliminary plans to the public and has not yet submitted an official application to do so to the Planning Commission.Marzella has said the request was to erect a 110-foot tower that would provide Broadband wireless Internet. He said the tower would not be highly visible to those who were close due to its elevation, and would appear small to the human eye at a distance. He said the applicant has a pending contract with a reputable wireless Internet provider who will be able to provide service and coverage to customers around Burt and Mullett lakes.At the Sept. 18 meeting, it was noted that in November of 2012, a request for a variance to build a private use historical fire tower at the same location was denied by the Cheboygan County Zoning Board of Appeals. Also at that meeting, Planning Commissioner Mike Kavanaugh reminded the rest of the panel that it could only allow the tower if the applicant made an effort to screen, co-locate or place on an existing structure, if possible.Community Development Planner Scott McNeil said he had reviewed the existing commercial towers closest to the proposed tower and that the nearest two were both owned by AT&T. He said the company would not reveal a cost for the ap